Corset



VPATENT WILLIAM RITZMANN, OF BRIDGEPOR/l, CONNECTICUT.

CORSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 273,393, dated March 6, 1883.

Applica-tion nieu August 2t, 1882. (Model.)

l To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, WILLIAM RITZMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, in the`counxty of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corsets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention consists in certain improvements in corsets, as will be hereinafter described and claimed. A

In the drawings, Figure l represents a corset constructed according to my improvements. Fig. 2 representsa modified form of my invention. Fig. 3 is a detail view, in horizontal section, of my improvement.

The object of my invention is to provide a corset which will assure the wearer an elegant iit, combined with a natural readiness to yield to any desirable position, and to adj ust itself, without the aid of the wearer, to the requirements of the form, the improvements being basedupon special hygienic principles.

With this end in view,instead ofjoining the front and rear sections of the corsets together by the usual inner arm 7 section, I attach at appropriate intervals to the side edges of each front and rear section guiding-loops A, which are constructed from the best steel wire. Each loop A is encircled atits front part by a lieXible tube, a, made of close-coiled wire, which is loosely mounted thereon, so as to be capable of easy rotation, and will retain its operativeness even if, in course of wearing, the loop should bend.A These guiding-loops are each separately secured to the edge of the fabric by simply sewin gor attachingthem thereon. They are secured in the manner shown in the drawings-viz., by inserting their rear portions between the two inner faces ot' the body, and then stitching the fabric down in the usual way.

By this means the stitching willsecurely hold is secured at one end, by sewing or otherwise, directly to the corset-body. It is then passed through the nearest guiding-loop, and from thence laced or threaded in a diagonal line to the loop next adjacent. Any number of these loops maybe employed in each corset as found desirable, and while I prefer to thread or lace' the elastic belt or band B continuously through said loops in a diagonal line from the top to the bottom ofthe corset,and secure thelower end of said belt to the corset-body, as shown in Fig.

l of the drawings, still said belt or band may consist of shorter strips or sections, and may be passed diagonally through simply two or any number less than the whole of said loops, and the ends of said strips or sections secured directly to the corset-body, as shown in Fig. 2

of the drawings. The belt or band B, fastened to the corset in the manner shown, will very readily adjust itself to the form of the wearer, the iieXible tubes permitting the belt to work smoothly over or around it, thus allowing the belt to readily adjust itself to that part of the corset where the most strain is. All wearers of corsets know that to break iu or adj ustanew corset to conform to the shape of the wearer is quite a task and often very hurtful; but my invention will entirelydo away with this painful operation. tion is' the Ventilating of that-portion of the body (that is, under the arm) where perspirationis most produced; and still another advantage secured is the preventing ofthe breaking of the Whalebone or other stilfening material, which is quite an object to the wearer, as by my improvements an increased iiexibility of the parts is secured.

I am aware that elastic pieces have been inserted in corsets to produce a similar effect; but the practice has been to cutoff pieces of a web from two to three inches wide, and insert the same in the fabric. These will very soon wear out, and the rubber is very apt either to slip or break; but by using, according to my invention, one continuous strip or belt, these objectionable features are avoided.

I am also aware that corsets have been constructed with a continuous busk or strip of meta-l at each edge of the lacing-sections, such busks having riveted thereto, on either side,

Another feature of my inven-I ICO horizontal strips of metal, between which sheaves or rollers are journaled to receive a 1acingcord, which passes diagonally from top to bottom of the corset; and I am also further aware that other corsets have been constructed with strips of corrugated metal wire bent to form loops, through which the cord passes di agonally, said wire extending in a continuous line from top to bottom of the corset. By my arrangement the elastic belt or band practicallyitself forms an elastic section which unites the front and back sections of a corset and renders the corset adjustable and adaptable to the shape or forni of the wearer, thereby admitting of corsets constructed according to my invention being worn by persons ot' every variety of form or shape, and also admitting of the freer coutortional movements of the wearer than would be possible with safety to the corset were an elastic band or section similar to that herein described not employed.

Where a continuous strip of elastic material is used in lieu of attaching the lower end directly to the fabric, I attach a buckle thereto and secure itA by a short strap on the adjacent part of the corset, or attach the buckle to the corset and secure the lower end of the belt thereto. By this means the elastic band or belt can be readily shortened or loosened, as it is desired to tighten the belt to take up wear, or loosen it for the purpose of securing increased ventilation or for other reasons.

It will be readily seen that by this arrangement corsets constructed as herein shown and described will more readily adjust themselves to the different forms of the wearers and allow of their free and easy movements without endan gering the shape or stability ot' the corset than would be the case were the edge of each section furnished with a rigid busk or wire extending continuously from the top to the bottom thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a corset, the guiding-loops A, having coiled wire tubes a, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A corset having loops A, each having a flexible wire tube, a, and secured directly and independently to the side edges of each front and rear section, and the elastic belt or band B, extended in a diagonal line between the said sections and through said loops, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature inl presence of two Witnesses. WILLIAM RITZMANN.

Witnesses ELI MIX, J. H. SMITH. 

